Rasolea, 17, makes her mark

Siteri Vuanimasei Rasolea hopes to continue with the rugby tradition her family has been known for from previous years.
Elder brother Solomone Junior Rasolea made his mark for the Western Force in the Super Rugby competition and the was also a member of the Australia sevens team.
The 2013 7s season is yet again a proud one for the family after their youngest daughter Siteri was named to captain her Queensland School Girls Rugby 7s side in last weekend’s Nationals U18 Schoolgirls 7s.
Proud mother Asena Rasolea said her youngest daughter, who just turned 17 on October 3, has now tried to continue the rugby tradition.
“Well she has always looked up to her role models Solomone Junior Rasolea and Kirisi Kuridrani, the cousin of Wallabies Tevita Kuridrani, and Samuela Kerevi who just recently this year signed with the Reds.
“These boys have grown up with Siteri and she also looked up to the Brisbane Fijian boys and always supports them at rugby tournaments.
“Now that there are more opportunities for girls’ rugby she is very passionate and dedicated to her training and rugby tournaments both in 7’s and rugby union 15s.”
She is one of the youngest is the Open women’s 15’s team local club Pine River Pumas and was also selected as the shadow for the Queensland women’s nationals rugby union 15’s team.
“But she did not think this time last year that she would be playing rugby and she always says God has different plans for us.
“We just need to have faith and trust in the Lord that he always knows what is best for us.”
Siteri said she always supported her brothers Junior and Kirisi Kuridrani and a boy she calls her twinny Samu Kerevi with their rugby.
“Just going watching their games and my transition into playing rugby they are very supportive but my brother Junior always worries for me.
“But it’s great to get more girls playing rugby,” Siteri added.
Even though her side lost to New South Wales in the final at Skilled Park Stadium, the venue of the recent Gold Coast 7s, young Rasolea is proud she has started her rugby career somewhere high and she hopes to continue with it.